Teaching with GenAI showcase – Biyanka Ekanayake | 25 September

Harnessing Generative AI in Property Technology Education: Action Research Insights for Industry-Ready Practice

This study presents an action research project that integrated GenAI tools into an undergraduate Property Technology (PropTech) course across two teaching cycles in 2024 and 2025. Guided by the spiral model of action research (plan–act–observe–reflect–revised plan–act–observe–reflect), the project explored how GenAI could be embedded ethically and effectively into teaching and assessment. An abstract of this study has been accepted to the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society (PRRES) Annual Conference.

In 2024, students were tasked with pitching technological solutions to property industry problems through an assignment supported by a lecture on GenAI tools. GenAI use was encouraged but optional, and approximately 70% of students chose to incorporate tools to enhance creativity in their pitches. In 2025, following a university policy prohibiting restrictions on GenAI, and in response to increasing reports of AI misuse in the property industry, the assignment and lectures were redesigned to mandate effective and ethical GenAI use.

Findings show that a structured, GenAI-integrated curriculum enhanced student creativity, engagement, and ethical practices while aligning with both institutional policy and industry needs. In 2025, students produced more refined and professional outputs, with stronger ethical awareness. However, a few instances of over-reliance on AI outputs remained evident. Future iterations will focus on scaffolding critical analysis and providing clearer academic integrity guidance, ensuring students use GenAI to extend not replace their professional judgment.

Event format

This event will be held in the UTS Ed Hub – CB06.04.020 and also streamed online via Zoom. Choose your preferred attendance mode in the booking form.